Fall 2014 - Friends of Harkness

Fall 2014
Friends of Harkness
www.harkness.org
Friends of Harkness
A Reinvigorated Focus on Harkness — E. Grant
The year 2014 has brought a renewed focus on Harkness and
its gardens. Numerous articles have appeared in newspapers,
“INK” Magazine, Connecticut Magazine, senior magazines and
many more. Requests for special private tours of Eolia and of
the garden have increased as well. Perhaps it is due to the fact
that Beatrix Farrand is being inducted into the Connecticut
Women’s Hall of Fame on October 29, 2014 at the Hartford
Convention Center (6pm-9pm). The theme for this year’s
awards ceremony is “Shaping Our World: Women in Design
and Innovation.” Beatrix Farrand certainly is the quintessential
definition of this theme.
As part of the celebration of Farrand’s induction, a 10-minute
documentary about Farrand’s life and accomplishments was
commissioned by the State of Connecticut. The filmmaker is
Karyl Evans, a five-time Emmy award winner for her documentary productions. Coincidentally, she obtained an undergraduate degree in horticulture and landscape design prior to her
career as a film maker. She is thrilled to be working on this project; so much so that she is considering producing a full-length
documentary about Farrand to be aired on PBS. Funding
would have to be raised for such an undertaking.
On the morning of July 30, 19 people from the CT Federated
Garden Club’s Landscape Council of Design (LCD) toured the
park. Gladys Stadnick provided a guided tour through the mansion and Eileen Grant led the group through the gardens. A
focus of the LCD’s design courses next year will be on
Farrand’s body of work. The group hopes for a possible return
trip to Harkness in the late autumn or winter to study the
“bones” of the landscape design without the distraction of perennials and annuals.
Also on July 30th, another cadre of Farrand fans travelled from
two states for an afternoon tour of our renowned historic gardens. This elite group included the directors of horticulture for
Dumbarton Oaks in Washington D.C. and Bellefield in Hyde
Park New York. Also in the group was Lynden Miller, the garden designer responsible for much of the restoration of NYC
public gardens in the last decades (most notably the revamping
of Central Park’s Conservatory Garden and Bryant Park.)
Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown is Farrand's masterwork.
Jane Symmes, (Anne’s mom) Anne Cleves Symmes
(Executive Director, Bellefield Garden at Hyde Park,
NY), Gail Griffin (Director of Gardens, Dumbarton Oaks,
Washington DC), Lynden Miller, prominent garden designer and author (extensive restorations of NYC parks
including the Conservatory Garden in Central Park)
Bellefield, originally the home of Thomas and
Sarah Newbold (cousins of Farrand), now is
within the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic
Site/ National Park Service. The tour was led by
Eileen Grant . Joining Eileen to help “show off”
Harkness was Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner for the CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection, who has a background in design
and is a great Farrand admirer.
The Friends of Harkness and the Harkness Park
Staff are dedicated to maintaining the historic
gardens as Beatrix Farrand designed them. Often, painstaking research is required to locate
the heirloom varieties of plants that Farrand designated for her gardens. Both tour groups were
highly laudatory about this dedication to historic
accuracy; many questions were fielded regarding
plant types and sources for seeds and perennials.
(continued on page 2)
Harkness Annual Summer Volunteer Picnic
Another Picture Perfect Evening
More than 100 Volunteers and Friends of Harkness enjoyed burgers, hotdogs and the many culinary delights
brought by the attendees. As with most Friendssponsored events, the weather gods smiled over the
event. A great time was had by all. Special thanks to
Edwina Presley and her crew of volunteers for organizing
this event and for adeptly handling the clean-up duties
and, to Mark Darin, Denise and the Harkness crew for
cooking and helping to clean up following the dinner.
Great job all!
Photos top to bottom
Continued from page 1
Edwina Presley handling the
dish brigade
Also of interest were tips on techniques for safeguarding heirlooms in challenging environments. No
matter where our respective gardens, all must deter
woodchucks and keep deer from decimating the landscape!
Guests enjoying the party
Lynden Miller took copious notes and gathered copies of Farrand’s designs and notes for a presentation
she was making to the Beatrix Farrand Society meeting on August 13 in Maine. She was very grateful for
Eileen’s assistance.
Dave Williams & Mary
Maynard chatting
Yet another interesting visitor: after a stop at the park
in August, Karl Gercens, Conservatory Horticulturist
for Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania , contacted
Park Supervisor Mark Darin with questions about the
Harkness heliotrope standards. Having never seen
heliotropes shaped to topiary form and massed to
such great effect, he is interested in possibly mimicking the approach at the famous Longwood Gardens.
He correctly perceived that our heliotropes are something special, more fragrant and graceful than modern varieties.
Lovely that so many are seeing and fully appreciating
Farrand’s work and the Harkness’s legacy!
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Mark Darin and daughter
Alisha at the grill
Denise Boucher taking food
orders
2014 SoJourn concludes at Harkness Memorial State Park. – Diane Joy
The 2014 SoJourn (Summer Outdoor Journey) came to a safe and successful conclusion at Harkness Memorial State
Park on Friday, August 15, 2014. Twenty two (22) hardy SoJourners made history by participating in this year’s Centennial event. The SoJourn is the essence of what the CT State Parks system is all about. A dedicated group of individuals coming from diverse backgrounds, who all love the outdoors and are committed to make things better not only
for themselves, but for all those who will follow in their footsteps.
The journey began at American Legion SF Youth Group Area (Barkhamsted) on August 9th. The participants got an
early taste of what they would be up against with a hike led by Hammonasset Nature Center’s Ranger Russ along the
Henry Buck Trail. The trail described by the trail guide as “climbs the Tremendous Cliffs which offer a good overlook”
should have been a clue that the group was in for a rugged trip. The next morning, led by participant and guide,Jessica
Lindquist, the SoJourners set off on bike for Heublein Tower (Talcott Mt, SP) (Avon/Simsbury). One of the SoJourn’s
12-year-old riders dissolved into tears after the early hills, convinced she could not do it. Thanks to continuous encouragement by CT Boating Office’s Mark Chanski, who served as the “sweep” aka bicycle repairer and taxi service, she
soon was cruising up hills and grinning when she completed the steep first leg!
The Sojourners were treated to a wonderful tour of the Tower, a great meal prepared by the Friends of Heublein Tower,
a beautiful sunset and, an enlightening presentation on the Centennial by “state parks historian” Al Levere. Thanks to
Dennis Kocyla, who once again helped the Sojourn out by bringing his telescope, we were able to view the night sky
and see Saturn and satellites! The next morning we were served breakfast by Friends of Heublein members (corn pancakes, and all…and we did not have to make it!!).
The next leg of the trip took us downhill to the Farmington River! We dismounted from our bikes and hopped into canoes for a brisk paddle…upstream. During this paddle, two adult and two immature bald eagles soared above us. One
of the adults flew low and right off the bow of my canoe that, I almost was able to touch it! At the conclusion of our 9.75
mile upstream effort, it was so wonderful, and a bit of a relief, to see staff from Heublein and Sleeping Giant who were
all there to greet us with our bikes – all ready for the 27 mile bike ride over to the beautiful Lock 12.(thanks to Cheshire
Parks & Recreation)
Chatfield Hollow State Park’s Supervisor, Alex Sokolow, joined us for a nice ride, over local roads and through wooded
areas, to Millers Pond State Park (Durham) for a quick swim (yes it was cold!!) and the ride to the final destination for
the day - the Essex Steam Train at Valley Railroad State Park (Essex).
Bob Bell and the folks at Essex Steam Train were so nice and hospitable to take us in during the violent rain storm that
blew in. They allowed the SoJourners to “camp” indoors in their gallery building. What an amazing experience the children and adults had! The Friends of Valley Railroad were so welcoming and went out of their way to assist us and
make us comfortable. DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee and Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen travelled from their
offices in Hartford to join us at the Steam Train They spent considerable time listening to our adventures from the hills of
northwestern Connecticut to the Connecticut River Valley. After dinner at the railroad, we were given a wonderful lesson about all the intricate details of how the steam train works. You can definitely tell the folks at the Essex Steam
Train enjoy the work they do…a great group of people! We were allowed to stay at the Steam Train building for 2
nights due to the severe rain storm and spot lightning. A few SoJourners even got to take 2 train rides before heading
up to Gillette Castle State Park (Hadlyme) where we were greeted by excellent Park Interpreters who toured us through
William H. Gillette’s quirky hilltop home.
After the harsh weather subsided, we embarked on a beautiful canoe ride, led by Hammonasset Beach State Park Supervisor Henry Alves, down the Connecticut River followed by a bike ride to Rocky Neck State Park (East Lyme). We
were treated to an excellent and very educational astronomy program. A few members of our group visited the Park’s
nature center the following morning and got to feed frogs!
We left our Rocky Neck campsite and headed east on our last official day of the journey. We enjoyed a pleasant and
leisurely ride over to Harkness Memorial State Park (Waterford), (I think Bruce had the 7th flat tire as we went over the
bridge!) for a really great dinner provided by the Friends of Harkness. We were all tired and hungry and, the Italian food
it was delicious!
Many great stories and a good deal of laughter and camaraderie was topped off by a PowerPoint chronicling the 2014
SoJourn’s 120 mile trip. The DEEP and the CT State Park centennial Committee is so appreciative for all who helped
make the CT State Parks Centennial SoJourn a success! From the planning to the publicizing, moving trunks and canoes, feeding and “watering”, supporting and educating, it is always so rewarding to work with such dedicated and fantastic people! It was an amazing experience.
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SOJOURN
2014
Concludes with
Italian Dinner at
Harkness on
August 15,2014
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome New Members
Karen Nourse — CLINTON, CT
6:30 PM - Waterford Public Library
Pamela L. Coleman—WATERFORD, CT
September 29, 2014
William Hatheway—NEW LONDON, CT
October 27, 2014
Ginny Nelson– NEW LONDON, CT
November 24, 2014
Marylee Telford—WATERFORD, CT
January 26, 2015
William Clarkson—WATERFORD, CT
February 23, 2015
Gay Clarkson - WATERFORD CT
Patricia Reynard —GLASTONBURY, CT
Alan Reynard - GLASTONBURY CT
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Harkness Board of Directors Meetings
March 30, 2015
April 27, 2015
Eileen Grant
Honored by the
National Association of
State Park Directors
Eileen Grant, past President of Harkness Memorial State
Park and sitting President of the Friends of Connecticut
State Parks, has been awarded the 2014 President’s
Award by the National Association of State Park Directors
(NASPD). The award is given each year to an individual
or organization who has made an extraordinary contribution, innovation, and/or best practice at a state, regional
or national level, furthering the goal of a system of state
parks. This award may be awarded in four categories:
local organization, statewide organization, national organization, and individual. This is the first time that anyone
from Connecticut has won this honor.
Eileen Grant’s, 20-year volunteer and advocacy efforts on
behalf of state parks have resulted in: the preservation of
historic grounds and structures, keeping Connecticut’s
State Parks affordable to all visitors, developing a more
informed legislative body, coalescing 6,000 state park
volunteers into a powerful like-minded organization, maintaining and increasing dedicated funds to maintain the
parks, supporting park staff with countless hours of hands
-on work, augmenting full-time park staff, protecting state
park lands and continuing to improve and make Connecticut’s state parks special and inviting places for all to enjoy.
The National Association of State Park Directors
(NASPD) is devoted to helping state park systems effectively manage and administer their state park system. The
mission of the association is to promote and advance the
state park systems of America for their own significance,
as well as for their important contributions to the nation's
environment, heritage, health and economy.
L-R Stuart Johnson-NASPD Selection Committee, Tom Tyler-CT State Park Director,
Susan Whalen-DEEP Deputy Commissioner Speaking, Honoree-Eileen Grant, Priscilla
Geigis-NASPD President, Pamela Adams-Retired Director & Nominator
L-R Stuart Johnson NASPD Selection Committee, Tom Tyler CT State Park Director,
Priscilla Geigis NASPD President reads wording of award, Award Winner Eileen
Grant, Pamela Adams, Retired Director & Nominator, Susan Whalen DEEP Deputy
Honoree Eileen Grant speaking after receiving her award.
The NASPD is composed of fifty state park directors, plus
territories of the United States of America, including ,
Puerto Rico. The Association has also established memorandums of understanding (MOU's) with what is referred
to as Associates and Affiliates that share common goals.
The National Parks Service and the Canadian Provincial
Provence Parks are Associates of NASPD.
Eileen received her award at the September 4, 2014
NASPD conference in Omaha, Nebraska attended by
nearly 200 park professionals.
L-R Susan Whalen-DEEP Deputy Commissioner, Tom Tyler-Director CT State Parks,
Honoree Eileen Grant-President FCSP President & Friends of Harkness Board Member,
Pamela Adams-Retired Director CT State Parks.
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HARKNESS FAMILY DAY 2014
The 21st Harkness Family Day, with near-perfect
weather, was enjoyed by more than 5,000 park visitors according to Mark Darin, Park Supervisor, who
along with Park Staff directed the traffic in front of the
main entrance, closed the entrance to the park at one
point, & then directed the overflow through Camp
Harkness !!
At the Carriage House courtyard, visitors formed a
steady stream in & out of the Gift Shop, garage, stables, & clubhouse to see what is only open on this one
special day and for the first time, the Greenhouse was
open to view the results of the latest phase of restoration.
Outside the courtyard, hot dogs, popcorn & refreshments were available, vintage autos & farm equipment, as well as the classic T-Birds car show were on
display, and the Youth Service Bureaus of Waterford,
New London & Preston provided activities for children
and their families.
Entertainment throughout the day was provided by the
Waterford Community Band, Foxglove Farm carriage
rides, and a DJ with music & games.
A Rose-themed Tea was once again presented on the
patio of the mansion with live background guitar music
and busy-bee hostesses attending to the many customers. For the past several years, the Rose Tea has
been organized and coordinated by Kelly Callahan
and after this year, Kelly has decided to step aside
from those duties. For all these years organizing the
Rose Tea, we say THANK YOU KELLY, WE APPRECIATE IT !!!!
Continued on page 7
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Harkness Family Day (continued from p. 6)
Harkness Family Day was a GREAT success for our
21st year !! This is Always due to the tremendous effort
by Mark & Park Staff and Friends of Harkness volunteers; some who start in August with the cleanup of the
buildings, those who help set-up early and then put away
at the end of the day, and those who join with us to staff
the venues of Family Day at Harkness Memorial State
Park. The Family Day committee wishes to say Thank
You to Mark & Park Staff and Friends of Harkness volunteers.
Harold Hansen & Chris Callahan, Harkness Family Day
Committee
HARKNESS FAMILY DAY FOOD DRIVE 2014
This year’s Family Day Food Drive was again a
HUGE success, THANKS to the efforts of Sally Hargis, from park staff, and husband Steve, who volunteered their time to collect non-perishable food and
monetary donations to honor Edward and Mary Stillman Harkness’ generosity.
On behalf of the Friends of Harkness, 1,268 lbs of
non-perishable food was donated to Gemma Moran
United Way Food Bank and $2,125 was donated between the New London Community Meal Center and
Waterford Interfaith Food Locker.
SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES!
Annual Fall Garden Clean-Up will be held
during the last weekend of October or, the first weekend
of November - depending on the weather. The date will
be announced in an E-Blast
Please bring gloves, pruning tools and rakes to help with
the clean-up
December 8, 2014
Harkness Holiday Party
Plan ahead for the Festive Harkness Holiday
The colors of fall are just beginning but before you know
it, the holidays will be upon us. Mark your calendars for
Monday, December 8, 2014 (5:30PM) to join the gala
party at the decorated Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park. Bring a dish and $5.00 to help defray
expenses.
Last Name begins with:
Item to bring:
A-H
Dessert
I-N
Appetizer
O-Z
Salad or Side
Sally Hargis taking food donations from generous children.
Mansion decorating will take place on Saturday,
December 6, 2014 @ 9:00AM
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Eolian
Fall 2014
Email updates
To receive email notices of our events,
please send a message to
friends.of.harkness@gmail.com
Volunteers Needed
We are happy to see “old” volunteers, and welcome new ones to join our ranks. Staff levels are very
low, so we need volunteers more than ever—for spring and summer garden work. Also to give tours at
Eolia, to write or edit for the Eolian, to help out at our tea and other events. Think you are unskilled to
be a decent docent or a green gardener? No worries. We train. Call 860-437-1523 if you are interested.
Membership Renewal: The mailing label on your Eolian indicates the date that we deposited your most recent
dues. Your membership is good for one year beyond the date indicated on the label. Dues should be sent to FOH,
P.O. Box 10, Waterford, CT. 06385-0010 in the Spring of each year, but are accepted when it is convenient for you.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Friends of Harkness
PO Box 10
Waterford, CT 06385
Permit No. 479
New London CT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Nonprofit Org.